Jehovah`s Witness/truth be told

QuestionHello Mr. Holland. I have just read your post and the post of Mr. Eddie G. I thought this was going to be a debate forum. One person would make his point and add scripture reference and likewise the other expert would do the same. I as a reader would like to hear the truth and not just personal pot shots. I know you know this because you are an expert. So please get on with it and show us your Bible expertise. Mr. Eddie G. was kind enough to do this and even left a list for readers to follow. If you could answer one question at a time with it would be a tremendous help for me to decide If indeed their is one God in three or one Almighty God. That is the main reason I came on to this site. Thank you ahead of time and all the best.

AnswerHello, Jose, and thank you for writing, and for your desire to know our Creator in a more intimate way.

To be honest with you, I am not sure what you are referring to, when you state...

"I thought this was going to be a debate forum. One person would make his point and add scripture reference and likewise the other expert would do the same"

You stated this in regards, specifically, to the doctrine of the Trinity. I am not sure where you got the idea that Eddie G and I were preparing a point-by-point debate on the Trinity, as he and I had not previously discussed this.

Now, I will say to you, that I DID mention it to him in my reply to his comments about the cross, which you will see posted tomorrow. His comments that Christians worship crosses, was the primary subject I was addressing, and the subject that prompted his questions to me in the public forum.

I have spent well over 5 hours addressing his comments on the cross, and as I said, you will see that reply posted Friday morning. In that reply, I did ask Eddie if he was implying that he wanted to debate the Trinity, and that if he did want to, I would be open to it. Whether that takes place or not, I cannot say at this time. If you have a question on that topic personally, you can feel free to send it to me, and I will be happy to answer it.

There may be a debate on the Trinity between Eddie and myself, and there may not be. If there is, it will occur after this discussion on the cross. As I stated in my reply, I will be off the board for the Labor Day week-end, as I will be in a remote location with no computer access at all. I will not even be able to SEE the board, or receive questions, until Tuesday. At that time, you may ask me whatever you like about the Trinity. I would PREFER, however, if you would wait until I post my writing on the method of Christ's execution, hopefully, by the end of next week. I will have a great deal of time and research, that will be necessary for that topic.

Sorry for any misunderstanding about a pending debate. Its possible there will be one, but nothing definite.

Yes, you are correct that this forum would be a much better place without the "pot shots", but unfortunately, when people are bent on making those "pot shots" and slandering you, it is sometimes necessary to respond, and to respond forcefully. Believe me, I have let a lot of it go by. In a forum where everybody is SUPPOSED to follow Christian principles, this should not ever be an issue.

You said...."help for me to decide If indeed their is one God in three or one Almighty God."

SHORT ANSWER: There is only ONE Almighty God, and only one TRUE God, for that matter. This one God has revealed Himself in Scripture, in 3 distinct Persons, sharing the same essence and nature.

If you have questions on that topic, you may feel free to contact me when I complete my writing on the cross of Christ.

Expertise

I was raised in the religion known as Jehovah`s Witnesses for 13 years. Since becoming a born-again Christian, I have researched extensively this religion, especially their doctrines and their history. I can answer questions about their doctrines from the perspective of Biblical Christianity. To be clear: Jehovahs Witnesses is the religion of my upbringing, though I myself was never baptized into the religion, nor have I ever been considered as a Jehovahs Witness.

Experience

29 years of Biblical research into the fundamental doctrines of the Christian faith, and how they differ from the teachings of the Watchtower.

OrganizationsI would advise each questioner to this forum, to carefully READ the profiles of the various volunteers. There are several such as myself, who are not practicing JWs, but will provide you with an accurate and honest answer, regarding JW teaching. If we don't know the answer, we will try to research and get it for you. There are also some excellent practicing JWs here, who also endeavor to give you a factual and honest answer, based on their point of view. I believe by getting both points of view, the questioner can weigh the evidence for themselves, and make an informed decision.
Unfortunately, there are also 3 here who claim to be JWs, but do NOT give honest, or well-researched answers. They will tell you only what they want you to believe, and they often hide facts about the history of their religion, as well as print untruths about other people's beliefs. This is done in an attempt to deceive the unsuspecting reader. It can be easily seen who these 3 are, simply by reading the public posts and "answers" which they write. Their posts will normally be filled with personal attacks, and if you question them about some teaching or aspect of the Watchtower that makes them uncomfortable, they will often reject your question, question your motives for asking it, tell you that you have been reading "apostate" sites, or turn the conversation into an attack on another expert. These ones are better avoided, as there is nothing to be gained by way of positive discussion, as they are not interested in intelligent conversation, or honest dialogue. If after reading the forum, you still have any questions as to who they are, just ask me, and I will be happy to tell you. And I can also provide documentation of their willful dishonesty.
One thing is for certain...in a forum where people from both sides claim to be "Christians", there should never be any willful lying. Such ones only create a distraction in the forum, and provide nothing of any real value.

Education/CredentialsHigh School, some college. Studies of God's Word, the Bible, and how it compares to JW theology. I have found my own personal study and experiences to be far more valuable than any formal education or training. The Bible message is clear...Salvation is ONLY through and by the shed blood of Jesus Christ, and no religious organization has a thing to do with it. While attendance at a Bible-preaching, Bible-believing church is a must for spiritual growth and fellowship, no church can grant salvation to its members. Nor is joining a particular group a prerequisite for being saved.